Instrument count stand

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to an instrument count stand for supporting scissors or scissor-like instruments having a pair of blades and a pair of handles. The stand includes a base having a plurality of slots for receiving portions of the instruments. A pair of side walls extending from the base support a roller. A handle is attached to the roller for moving the roller from a first position disengaged from the handles of the instruments to a second position which contacts the handles of the instruments and spreads the handles and accordingly the blade-like members of the instruments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally comprises a surgical instrument count stand forholding, counting, and sterilizing surgical scissors and other ringhandle instruments.

2. Description of Related Art

When performing surgical procedures, it is highly desirable to be ableto organize, count, and support surgical instruments, such as scissors,needle holders and clamps, prior to and after sterilization. It is alsodesirable to spread the blades of the scissors prior to sterilization sothat the entire surface of the scissors is appropriately cleaned andsterilized. The prior art literature discloses a number of devices tohold surgical scissors for that purpose.

One of the most common prior art devices is referred to as a “stringer”.It gets its name from the fact that a rod, or similar mechanism, passesthrough one of the handles of the surgical scissors as they sit on arack. Movement of the rod causes the handles of the scissors to moveapart thereby spreading the blades for sterilization. Examples of priorart stringer instrument racks can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,925,014;5,137,151; and 5,449,069.

Another category of prior art instrument count racks, or stands, employa bar which, unlike the stringers, does not pass through one of thehandles of the scissors but, instead, pushes the handles away from eachother. Examples of such prior art devices can be found in U.S. Pat.Nos.: 4,342,391; 4,577,755; and 4,865,821.

A variation on the foregoing is a movable wedge or bracket mechanismthat cams the scissors apart using an inclined plane or similar surface.Such a device is described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,420.

More recently, computerized devices have been employed to count andsterilize instruments. They are, however, relatively complex andexpensive. Note, for example, the surgical count stand described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,943,939.

Lastly, there are a variety of passive instrument count stands that holdthe instruments in position but do not necessarily assist in spreadingthe blades. Examples of the foregoing are found in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,564,662; 4,541,992; 4,643,303; 5,284,632; 5,451,380; and 5,433,929.

One of the major difficulties with prior art instrument count stands isthat surgical scissors come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Astand that might be appropriate for one size scissors may be totallyinappropriate for another size. Also, many prior art instrument countstands require several steps, or procedures, in order to spread thescissors. For example, prior art “stringer” instrument stands requirethat each of the individual handles be strung over a rod. Insofar asunderstood, none of the prior art appears to hint, teach or suggest aninstrument count stand that will adequately work with a wide variety ofdifferent scissors sizes and in which the steps of holding, spreadingand locking can be essentially done in one simple movement of a handle.It was in the context of the foregoing prior art that the presentinvention arose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, the invention comprises an instrument count stand orsterilization rack that holds between 16 and 42 scissors of varioussizes. The stand includes an aluminum base with horizontal slots whichserve to hold the scissors' handles, a bracket that serves as a stop forsmall instruments, two sidewalls including a slot for engaging an axle,a vertical slot rack; two leaf spring handle locking clips, a roller forspreading the scissors handles, and a wire handle connected to theroller. Between 16 and 42 scissors, of various sizes, are arranged onthe count stand in the vertical slots with their handles placed in thehorizontal slots. The stand comes in three sizes: a small size 10, suchas shown in FIGS. 1-3C that holds 16 scissors; a medium size that holds29 scissors; and, a large size that holds 42 scissors. The roller ispreferably formed from an aluminum perforated tube with end plug whichroll on a wire axle. The wire axle is retained within the slots on thetwo opposing sidewalls. Pulling the wire handle forward or backwardmoves the roller forward or backward as the axle translates in the axleslots in the sidewalls. As the roller is brought forward, under theinfluence of the handle, the roller is “squeezed” in between thescissors handles (sometimes referred to as “loops” or “rings”) forcingthem open and, consequently, spreading the blades apart. The forwardmotion of the roller which spreads the blades apart, also serves as alock preventing the scissors handles from moving out of the horizontalslots. After the roller has been pushed or pulled all the way forward,the handle is rotated and locked in position by the pair of respectiveleaf springs. The stand and scissors are then ready for sterilization.In one action, the spreading mechanism spreads the blades, locks andsecures the instruments to the count stand, and prepares them forsterilization. After sterilization, as the handle is unlocked and theroller is pushed backward, the instruments are also unlocked and readyfor use.

These and other features of the invention will be more fully understoodby reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinstrument count stand.

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the instrument count stand of FIG.1A.

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the instrument count stand in the lockedposition.

FIG. 2B is a left side elevational view of the instrument count stand inthe locked position.

FIG. 2C is a rear elevational view of the instrument count stand in thelocked position.

FIG. 2D is a front elevational view of the instrument count stand in thelocked position.

FIG. 3A is a detailed view of the instrument count stand in the first orunlocked position with the roller in the rear, disengaged position andthe handle fully back.

FIG. 3B is a detailed view of the instrument count stand in anintermediate position with the roller moving toward the fully forwardposition spreading the scissors handles but with the handles remainingback.

FIG. 3C is a detailed view of the instrument count stand with the rollerand handle fully forward and the handles in the second or lockedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

During the course of this description like numbers will be used toidentify like elements according to the different figures thatillustrate the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the invention 10 is illustrated in a frontperspective shown in FIG. 1A and a rear perspective shown in FIG. 1B.FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D illustrate top plan views, left side elevationalviews, rear elevational views, and front elevational views,respectively.

The preferred embodiment 10 includes a base 12 having a front floorsection 14. A left sidewall 16 and a right sidewall 18 are located onopposite sides of base 12 and are attached thereto. A left sidewallhandle 20 is attaches to the left sidewall 16. Similarly, a rightsidewall handle 22 is attached to the right sidewall 18. Handles 20 and22 are employed to lift the count stand 10 and transport it to asterilization station and back.

A vertical slotted scissors holder section 24 rests on base 12 and spansthe distance between left and right sidewalls 16 and 18, respectively. Aplurality of slots 26 is intended to support between 16 and 42 scissors52, respectively. Each pair of scissors 52 includes a pair of blades 54and a pair of handles or loops 56. Scissors 52 normally comprisesurgical scissors of varying sizes and shapes. According to thepreferred embodiment of the invention 10, the vertical scissors holdersection 24 includes 16 slots 26, but the number of slots 26 could begreater or lesser depending upon the needs of the user. The stand comesin three sizes, as previously discussed: a small size 10, such as shownin FIGS. 1-3C, which holds 16 scissors; a medium size that holds 29scissors; and, a large size that holds 42 scissors.

Base 12 also includes a rear section, or deck, 30. A plurality ofhorizontal scissors handle slots 32 are located in the rear deck 30 ofthe base 12. Horizontal slots 32 receive one of the two handles, orloops, 56 of scissors 52. In addition, in order to prevent smallscissors 52, or instruments, from falling through the horizontal slots32, a small instrument stop bracket 58 is attached to the bottom of base12. See FIG. 2B.

A roller 36, preferably formed from a perforated aluminum or stainlesssteel tube, is located above the rear deck 30 of base 12. A pair ofroller axle caps, or plugs, 39 are located at opposite ends of roller36. A roller axle wire 38, supported by axle caps 39, passes through thelength of roller 36 and is received in slot 34 located in each of thesidewalls 16 and 18, respectively. In order to securely lock small andlarge instruments, including scissors, clamps and needle holders, theposition of axle slots 34, in terms of height and distance from the backside of the holder 24, and the diameter of roller can be important. Slot34 preferably has a length of 1 inch. The preferred diameter size of theroller 36 was found to be 1.5″±0.15″ for this embodiment.

A wire handle 40 is attached at opposite ends to the roller axle caps 39and forms a bail with respect thereto. Wire handle 40 includes a stopbar section 42 the end portions of which are receivable in slots 48 onthe top of sidewalls 16 and 18, respectively. When wire handle 40 isrotated for its first or fully rearward position 60, as illustrated inFIGS. 3A, to its second or fully forward position 64, as illustrated inFIG. 3C, the stop bar 42 is received in slots 48. In addition, thesidewalls 16 and 18 include leaf spring locks 28 which engage the wirehandle 40 in the full forward position 64 as shown in FIG. 3C.

As previously described, roller 36 comprises an aluminum tube with aplurality of perforations 51 therein. A plurality of longitudinal seams50, usually four in number, extend from one end of the roller 36 to theother.

In operation, the invention 10 is employed in the following fashion.

First, the instrument count stand 10 is placed in the loading, or first,position 60 as illustrated in FIG. 3A. In the loading position, the wirehandle 40 is rotated backwards and the roller 36 is in its most rearwardposition. The roller axle 38 is in the most rearward position in axleslots 34 in sidewalls 16 and 18. Between 1 and 16 scissors 52 can beplaced on the count stand with the bodies of each of the scissors 52received in the vertical slots 26 of the vertical section 24 and withone of the handles, or loops, 56 of the scissors 52 received in thehorizontal slots 32 in the rear floor 30 of base 12. The scissors 52 areslightly inclined with the handles, or loops, 52 pointing downward invertical slots 26 to allow for easier spreading of blades 54. The smallinstrument stop bracket 58 prevents small instruments, or scissors 52,from falling through the horizontal slots 32.

The wire handle 40 is either pushed or pulled forward in the directionof arrow 62 forcing the roller 36 to squeeze the scissors handles 56apart as shown in FIG. 36. This intermediate position 62, also referredto as the spreading ode, causes the blades 54 of the scissors 52 tospread thereby exposing them to full sterilization. One of the majoradvantages of roller 36 is that is can rotate and cam, or squeeze, openscissors handles 56 of a very wide variety of sizes ranging fromrelatively small to relatively large. In contrast, many prior art incount stands only operate well with scissors in a narrow range of sizes.

Continued movement of the wire handle 40 brings it to the second, orfully locked, position 64 as illustrated in FIG. 3C. The handle 40 ispositioned so that it limits the vertical movement of scissors' blades54. In the second, locked position the wire handle 40 is rotated fullyforward so that the spring locks 28 on opposite sidewalls 16 and 18engage the wire handle 40 and lock it into position. Simultaneously, thestop bar 42 engages slots 48 in the top of sidwalls 16 and 18. In thesecond, or fully locked position 64, the instruments 52 are securelyheld in position and can be transported to a sterilization device, suchas an autoclave. Conversely, the instruments 52 can be removed safelyfrom an autoclave and transported to a location where they can beremoved. Another advantage, as is apparent from reviewing positions 60,and 64 of FIGS. 3A and 3C, is that the operation can be performed in asingle motion with one hand.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the present invention hasseveral advantages over typical prior art instrument count stands.First, the invention 10 is relatively easy to operate and requires fewoperator actions. This is a major advantage in terms of saving time andis safer for the operator because it gives the operator feweropportunities to nick or cut him or herself. Second, as compared topassive instrument count stands, the invention 10 consistently , andfirmly, spreads the jaws or blades 54 of the scissors 52 apart forbetter sterilization. Third, the preferred embodiment 10 securely holdslarge instruments, such as scissors 52, as well as small instruments. Inaddition, small instruments 52 have the advantage of a stop bracket 58located on the bottom of base 12 to prevent them from falling throughhorizontal slots 32. Fourth, the invention 10 has the advantage that anoperator can remove any single instrument 52 from the rack 10 withouthaving to clear or move other instruments 52 in order to reach them. Incontrast, many prior art instrument count stands, such as the “stringer”variety, require that all of the instruments be manipulated before asingle individual one can be removed. Fifth, the unique roller designpermits the invention to be used with a very wide variety of scissorssizes without jamming or hesitation. Sixth, there are no separate parts.The invention 10 acts as a single, integrated unit with no parts tolose. Seventh, the instruments 52 can be locked in position with onlyone hand in a single motion. Eighth, the instruments 52 are wellseparated which not only protects them from each other but also makesthem easier to count, easier to select and easier to sterilize.

While the invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that modifications can be made to the structure and method ofthe present invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An instrument count stand apparatus (10) forsupporting scissors (52) each having a pair of blades (54) and a pair ofhandles (56), said apparatus comprising: a base (12) having a pluralityof slots (26, 32) therein for receiving said scissors (52); a pair ofsidewalls (16, 18) attached to said base (12); a roller (36) supportedby said sidewalls (16, 18); and handle means (40) attached to saidroller (36) for moving said roller (36) from a first position (60)disengaged from said pair of handles (56) of said scissors (52) to asecond position (64) which contacts both of said handles (56) andspreads the handles (56) and blades (54) of said scissors (52).
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said sidewalls (16, 18) further include apair of slots (34) therein and said roller (36) includes an axle (38)which extends beyond said roller and into said pair of slots (34)respectively, wherein said axle (38) moves along said slots (34) whensaid handle means (40) moves from said first disengaged position (60) tosaid second position (64).
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said base(12) further includes a vertical central section (24) for supportingsaid scissors (52).
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said slots insaid base (12) comprise vertical slots (26) in said vertical section(24) for supporting said scissors (52) and horizontal slots (32) in saidbase (12) for supporting the handles (56) of said scissors (52).
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4 wherein said base (12) further comprises: a smallinstrument stop bracket (58) for preventing small scissors (52) fromfalling through said horizontal slots (32).
 6. The apparatus of claim 5wherein said roller (36) has a diameter in the range of 0.85 to 1.15inches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said roller (36) hasperforations (51) therein.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 furthercomprising: a locking means for locking said handle means (40) in thesecond position (64), said locking means comprising a pair of leafsprings (28) for engaging said handle means (40).
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8 further comprising: a stop bar (42) located on the top of saidhandle means (40); and, a pair of slots (48) in the top of saidsidewalls (16, 18) for receiving said stop at (42) when said handlemeans (40) and roller (36) are in the second position
 64. 10. Aninstrument count stand apparatus (10) for supporting scissors (52) eachhaving a pair of blades (54) and a pair of handles (56), said apparatuscomprising: a base (12) having a plurality of slots (26, 32) therein forreceiving said scissors (52); a pair of sidewalls (16, 18) attached tosaid base (12), said sidewalls (16, 18) further including a pair ofslots (34) therein; a roller (36) supported by said sidewalls (16, 18),said roller (36) including an axle (38) which extends beyond said roller(36) and into said pair of slots (34) respectively, handle means (40)attached to said roller (36) for moving said roller (36) from a firstposition (60) disengaged from said scissors (52) to a second lockedposition (64) which spreads the handles (56) and blades (54) of saidscissors (52), wherein said axle (38) moves along said slots (34) whensaid handle means (40) moves from said first disengaged position (60) tosaid second locked position (64).
 11. An instrument count standapparatus (10) for supporting scissor instruments (52) each having apair of extending portions (54) and a pair of handles (56), saidapparatus comprising: a base (12) having a plurality of slots (26, 32)therein for receiving said instruments (52); a pair of sidewalls (16,18) attached to said base (12); a roller (36) supported by said sidewall(16, 18); and, handle means (40) attached to said roller (36) for movingsaid roller (36) from a first open position (60) disengaged from saidpair of handles (56) of said instruments (52) to a second lockedposition (64) which contacts both of said handles (56) and spreads thehandles (56) and extending portions (54) of said instruments (52). 12.The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said sidewalls (16, 18) furtherinclude a pair of slots (34) therein and said roller (36) includes anaxle (38) which extends beyond said roller and into said pair of slots(34) respectively, wherein said axle (38) moves along said slots (34)when said handle means (40) moves from said first open position (60) tosaid second locked position (64).
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 whereinsaid base means (12) further includes a vertical central section (24)for supporting said instruments (52).
 14. The apparatus of claim 13wherein said slots in said base (12) comprise vertical slots (26) insaid vertical section (24) for supporting said instruments (52) andhorizontal slots (32) in said base (12) for supporting the handles (56)of said instruments (52).
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein saidbase (12) further comprises: a small instrument stop bracket (58) forpreventing small instruments (52) from falling through slots (32). 16.The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said roller (36) has a diameter in therange of 0.85 to 1.15 inches.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein saidroller (36) has perforations (51) therein.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11further comprising: a locking means for locking said handle means (40)in the fully locked position, said locking means comprising a pair ofleaf springs (28) for engaging said handle means (40).
 19. The apparatusof claim 11 further comprising: a stop bar (42) located on the top ofsaid handle means (40); and, a pair of (48) in the top of said sidewalls(16, 18) for receiving said stop bar (42) when said handle means (40)and roller (36) are in the second locked position.